Spaniard José Buendia led the 52 players who make it through the First Stage of the European Senior Tour Qualifying School, which was played over three courses at Pestana Resort on Portugal’s Algarve.

Buendia finished top of the pile at Silves Golf, where 17 players made it through to the Final Stage, thanks to scores of 69 and 67, four clear of second-placed Englishmen Tony Lawrence and Paul Carman.

Another Englishman, Andrew George, won at Vila Sol, where 16 players made it through. He carded rounds of 71 and 75 for a two over par total, two shots clear of American Jerry Smith.

At Gramacho, 19 players qualified, led by Swede Yngve Nilsson, whose scores of 71 and 69 gave him a four under par total, one shot clear of Scotland’s Robert Arnott.

The qualifiers join the 22 exempt players at next week’s four-round Final Stage, which will be played at Pestana’s Pinta Course, also on the Algarve.